oh hey, I'm ONE [23 months]

Why yes, this is the last time I will be doing a monthly update, and the last time I will be able to call myself ONE, because in less than two weeks, I'll be two.  Right now I'm all about giving hugs, mimicking, and dancing.  I can now say anything, and I'm mastering many phrases.  I'm working hard to be just like my mommy, which includes dabbling with her makeup, obsessing over gum, and working hard at sitting cris-cross applesauce, even though my legs don't seem to be agreeing with me.  This past month I've really taken a liking to books, Halloween stories are currently my favorite.  Animal noises entertain me and those around me, I especially love making elephant, monkey, and bear sounds.  To me, pumpkins say "roar" and skeletons fascinate me.  I can hardly walk by a window display without finding something spooky that catches my eye.  Lennon is my best friend, and I love associating objects or animals with my favorite people.  My auntie has her 'meow meows', Erin loves shoes, Casey plays guitar, and Grammy has Mouse.

Lip syncing is a serious obsession of mine, as well as My Little Pony, and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.  Mommy and I also like to snuggle and watch Hocus Pocus in the evenings together.  Tutus are my favorite, and so are Annie's fruit snacks.  Piggy tails are still a must, and I'm showing my parents that potty training is just around the corner.  And depending on what you ask for, you can get a hug, a kiss, a wave, a high-five, or fist bump goodbye! 

I'm sure I'll update you again sometime soon.  

Until then,

Everly Mae

oh hey, I'm ONE [22 months]

Of all the months, I think my mom is the most glad that this last one is in the books.  I started flaunting my intelligence, and my determination to not listen to my parents.  Which really just means, I'm trouble.  It all started a few months back when I went through my "Disney graphic t-only phase".  Mom thought that one was bad, but this past month I pretty much refused to wear clothes, that is, without a giant tantrum.  Or shoes for that fact.  I just wanted to have none of it, and it sure caused trying to go anywhere to be a little more work than my parents were planning on.  But because I really do love those grown ups of mine, I woke up at twenty-two months, and decided I was over it.  So for the most part, I let them dress me, and only once in a while do I interject my opinion on the manner.

I'm still gearing up for my big birthday by proclaiming I'm "TWO" whenever someone asks me my age.  I also love anything that comes in sets of two.  For instance, mom and I can't just eat one popsicle, we have to eat two of them at the same time.  Sometimes I switch my treat for hers, and other times I just like having us compare our treats together stating "two".  I also like putting two words together like "dad's shoes" and "my water".  I also love rhyming words such as house and mouse.  I'm in constant chatter mode now, and more and more seems to be getting through to the outside world.  I'm getting more real answers to my questions and less, "oh really", "mmmhmmm", and "oh I see".  I was catching on to that game pretty fast.  I also can point to every body part that mom asks to see, and I'm working on my animal noises.  Of course I have down kitties, and doggies [super realistic bark actually] and I'm working on monkey, and I make a little scrunchy nose face for bunny, thanks to Erin for teaching me this one.

In other news I love buckets, cups, baths, and all things concerning water, dirt, and outside.  This month I've been obsessed with plums and pluots, frozen yogurt and popsicles.  I seem to be getting taller, but sure not wider.  That little yellow skirt is a 12 month size, and it still is about an inch too big around the waist.  Good news, you will get to see me wear it through the spring.  I love helping outside, especially when it comes to sweeping leaves.  Mom says I'm going to love fall when the leaves are really falling, right now apparently they are falling off the trees due to a serious drought situation, but all I know is it makes for some good stomping fun while outside.  Lately I've also taking a real liking to when mom is getting ready for the day.  I've had fun with her makeup brushes and anything mom will let me get my hands on.  I don't know if my parents are quite ready for all my girlieness, but hey, at least I also like the dirt.

Until next month - Everly Mae

Mom blogger note: I literally wrote this post over an entire week.  And thanks to a nice early nap on a Saturday [a minor cold situation is helping that] I was able to put all the pieces together to finally share her monthly update, about a week late.  I guess that's why professional bloggers plan out their posts in advance.  Maybe I will try it sometime.  Better push "publish" before a little stuffy nosed toddler starts proclaiming 'MOM' in her very serious tone she is using nowadays.  

oh hey, I'm ONE [20 months]

This past month has really been something different.  First of all, my parents have decided to do a switcheroo on me, and now mom is home with me during the day, and dad is home at night.  At first this change really had me pretty mixed up, but now I'm not complaining.  It seems like mom is around, all the time, and I'm not having to share her with any other big kids, so I'm not going to complain about the shift in my routine.  Lately I've been keeping up with my chatterbox status, and I'm getting really good at mimicking words I hear around me.  For example, just today I said "exactly" right after my grammie did, and she seemed pretty pleased by this.  My newest favorite phrase would be "oh".  First, I start off by rambling a question to myself, and then I answer myself, and then finish my conversation with myself with a good "oh".  Right now it seems that all my parents are making out is the "oh" part, so clearly I need to keep working on my sentences.

Mom thought she was getting off easy with a kid who just let her dress her in whatever.  Well, she was wrong.  I don't know what they expected?  Take a kid to Disneyland five times in less than two years and she is going to develop a liking to all things Disney, so why is mom confused when I will only wear my Minnie and Frozen apparel?  Once, I wouldn't even go swimming because mom tried to sneak a "non-Minnie" suit on me, so I just became a backyard explorer instead, in my diaper.  I've also learned to accessorize this past month.  I kept wanting to wear my mom's necklaces, and she even let me wear one out to lunch, but decided that I should have my own [that didn't have sharp pointy edges and such], so now I am the proud owner of two necklaces of my very own. 

In other news, I'm still tiny, wearing anything from 6 months to a 2T, so clearly clothing sizes are a little strange.  I'm still working the size 3 diapers, and please oh please, I hope I weigh 20 pounds.  When I went to the doctor a few weeks back I was still holding strong in the 19 pound range, so who knows?  Maybe I'll make great gains from now until my two year checkup [probably not, but it's okay].  I still love giving kisses, but sometimes I'm stingy with them.  I love holding on to the edges of my mom's dresses, and twirling around her.  I love Dinosaur Train, Sesame Street, and So You Think You Can Dance.  I really love dancing with mom and dad when we watch our dancing shows, and even take their hands to pull them off the sofa to come and dance with me.  I love going for walks in my stroller in the mornings, and asking for "wa" from my parents at night.  These walks consist of holding hands while we go find something fun in the nursery, or having mom tell me every item that is in the fridge as I point.  I love going "side" because let's face it, the outdoors are just so much better than inside.  It looks like I'll be layering up for the winter months because there is no more confining me! 

All photos were taken a few weeks ago while visiting San Diego
[clearly before my Minnie obsession really set in]

oh hey, I'm ONE [19 months]

This past month has been all about words, boo boos, and being independent.  Whenever people see me now, they almost always comment on how "chatty" I've become.  Sure, a lot of my words are still of my own creation, but others are quite clear to the world.  A few weeks back I learned how to make the W sound, and while working on it, I twisted my face up completely until I got the sound just right.  Now I've got it down, and no longer look funny while making the sound, and wawawawa is now "water" in my world.  I've also mastered "side" for outside, which comes in handy when I am constantly asking to be outside.  The weather has really become much hotter outside, so good thing I've also gotten "hot" figured out.  I know that mom's coffee is hot, the ground is hot when in the sun, my food is hot when first placed in front of me, my clothes are hot when fresh out of the dryer, and the one thing I detest being hot, my car seat, and man, has it been HOT lately.

Lately I've really mastered this whole toddler thing by proudly wearing some bruises and scuffs on my knees.  Mom always tells me what a "tough cookie" I am, because even when my knee is bleeding, no tears are coming from me.  So for now, I will continue being the outdoor explorer which comes with some falls, and I won't mind them, I will just stand up and brush off my little hands.

This past month I've also mastered my love of shoes.  I love pointing out everyone's shoes, and letting them know that they are also wearing "shoes".  I even figured out how to put on my flip flops all by myself.  Sure, they are not always on the right feet, and sometimes my toes are not quite right in them either, but I don't care.  I have been showing off my stubborn and independent side when it comes to shoes, because I really don't like anyone to help me with them, and sometimes I get mad, and just throw them off.  Mom has a feeling that pretty soon my parents aren't going to be able to pick out my outfits anymore, so look forward to some crazy outfits coming your way soon!

So for now I leave you with this little image, me trying to whistle.  I'll let you know when I figure it out.  Mom still doesn't have it, so it could be a while.

Until next month - Everly Mae

oh hey, I'm ONE [18 months]

A year and a half!  That's a mini milestone, and will hopefully stop mom from telling everyone exactly how many months old I am for a bit!  Seriously, I don't think they care.  And if they don't have kids themselves, they just look confused.

Yesterday I had my 18 month check-up and I am officially weighing 19 1/2 pounds putting me in the 11th percentile for weight.  Which is exactly what I was at my 15 month checkup percentile wise, and mom was SO happy about that.  After all of my "weight loss viruses" I was knocked down with in April, I ended up gaining all of it back and then some!  Maybe some of the giant slices of pizza I eat are sticking finally.  Water is still my preferred beverage of choice.  I had my first milkshake this past month, a mint cookie shake from Pinkberry, and I helped my dad drink a good portion of it.  Oh, and cucumbers were pretty awesome this month too. 

This month I've fallen in love with the mysterious bubble. Bubbles are amazing. I chase them, pop them, dance with them, and through them, and have even blown some of my own this month (which is harder than it looks people). 

I'm rocking words that start with the "bah" sound. Ball, book, and boobie [bub-bub] are all sounding pretty similar at this point, but with a little context, everyone seems to figure out what I'm talking about.  I've also mastered baby, and I love pointing them all out!  No is still my favorite word, and pretty much rules my conversations with people. I've mastered the sign for more, and even started signing thank you, and mom says also it looks like I'm blowing kisses, which seems to be okay at this point too. My babble sentences are getting very intricate. I've decided that when my voice, sounds, and volume are different when talking, the story is just more interesting. So I'll keep at that and let you know next month if I'm speaking English yet. 

Here's to another awesome month of pigtails, pearly whites, and leg hugs & kisses. 

-everly mae

oh hey, I'm ONE [17 months]

Well, if you had asked me a few days ago if I was going to be able to write this post, I would have said "no way".  My last week as a 16 month old was rough.  Turns out, I had Roseola, and if you want to see me docile, knock me with a 103 degree fever for a few days, and that's what you will get.  But I'm back, and covered in a pretty little rash all over my face and neck for my post today.  These pictures were taken yesterday after an amazing afternoon shower, and my rash was pretty slight at this time.  We went to the doctor for my fever, and all of this "not eating" business has dropped me back down to 18 pounds 5 ounces.  So it looks like I'll be fitting into newborn sized leggings for a while longer, sigh. 

This past month will always be marked as my "Frozen" month.  The month I began mimicking everything.  The month I perfected my devious little smirk.  The month I ate my body weight in Annie's mac-n-cheese, twice.  The month I lost my owl shoes, and then found them in my daddy's diaper bag.  The month I played in the rain, and the dirt, and got my first splinter...in my head.  The month I took a liking to my daddy's pancakes.  The month I had my first Jamba Juice, and juice in general, and still prefer water, so there you go.  The month I had my first baby Pinkberry, and didn't make an entire mess of it.  The month I mastered my jumping off the coffee table into my mom's lap game.  The month I giggled my way through play dates, and finally grew hair for piggy tails.  I think my mom is happiest about this. 

It was a really great month.

-Everly Mae

mom blogger note:  this post was typed with one hand, why the other held my sweet, blotchy faced babe while she sleeps away this Roseola.  And it wasn't even my left one.

oh hey, I'm ONE [16 months]

this past week I turned 16 months

and clearly, I decided to really ring in this month with a bang

literally

between coffee tables getting in my way

and falling off a few chairs

and my most dramatic moment

of falling headfirst into the empty bathtub

besides a few minutes of tears, a baby little bump

and a perfectly round bruise

I survived the incident, and now stay far away from the bathtub

on the doctor front, I had my checkup just about a week ago

and I sure made my mom have a hard time

because I am following in her foot steps of hating doctors

I guess what goes around comes around

sorry mom, you have several years of dealing with this

so get used to it, and make my daddy get the night off so he can be there for support

my stats are now 18 pounds, 9 ounces

putting me in the 10th percentile

but because mom was about a month late on getting me my 15 month check

my percentile is probably a little lower, but oh well

the good thing about being tiny is mom and dad like cooking my food with butter

like a lot of butter

I'm now 30 inches long, which puts me a tad below average for height

 but I don't think my family really had huge hopes for that, so okay

lately I'm still gibber jabbering along

new words I'm loving this month include

nose, eyes,

[sometimes I even call mom's sunglasses "eyes"]
I can point to my belly and bottom

[and because my mommy has a bad habit of saying butt often, 

I've not only pointed to it, but let my family know I can say butt too]

I also love saying "this"

sometimes used to point out something awesome

and other times to ask "what's this"

in addition to my words, I'm impressing those parents of mine

but signing "more" when eating

I'm working hard to say "Minnie Mouse"

but it just kind of sounds like mimimooo right now

so I'll keep working

"Luna" is just about mastered, and speaking of Luna

now that I'm such a big girl, I'm trying to pick her up

but it's not going so well, so maybe we will just keep snuggling

while on my adventures I've realized that can walk down most stairs

without any help, and not on my belly crawling backwards

just walking down like the big girl I am

I steal glasses off faces

give the absolute sweetest kisses

and cannot get enough of socializing

my parents have finally given up the "highchair battle" 

while eating out and hope for a booth instead

so I can stand, dance, move my way through dinner

and maybe eat a little too

until next month

-Everly Mae

mom blogger note: this post was written while my daughter slept in her car seat after being worn out from an evening of comic-con and dinner out, success.  now it's time to get her a fresh diaper and sleepy clothes without unleashing a baby monster, fingers crossed.

oh hey, I'm ONE [15 months]

well hello again everyone - I'm 15 months old today!

lately I've been...

saying "this" a lot

shhhh-ing everything

thinking everything needs to be cooled off

by me blowing on it, especially my kitty luna

[and every other cat for that fact]

I'm a really good mimicker, whether it be sounds

words, phrases, or actions - you can tell I'm really watching closely

I know how to talk on the phone, even if it isn't a phone

I like nodding "yes" and "no" dramatically
chasing my daddy around the house is one of my favorite games

I can climb any steps with ease

and I'm working on walking up and down them like the big people do

I twirl when I'm happy

and love holding the hands of my favorite people

and leading them to where I want to go

whether it be story time in my nursery

or playing and the big bed in the guest room

[also known as the room I can always find my Luna in]

I dance with Ellen daily

and prefer my meals on the go

even though my parents keep insisting I eat in my high chair

I prefer eating my snack while lounging on the sofa

or while whipping of some imaginary meals

I still am loving all my mom's favorite foods

for example, pretty much every fruit is alright in my book

and I even think her junk food splurges are the best

cheetos & milky way midnights may have been eaten in moderation

size wise I'm still a mini

I'm wearing size four shoes - which apparently is what

6-12 month old babies should wear, so I guess I shouldn't be expecting

to hit 6 feet tall anytime soon

maybe I'll get to be as tall as my mommy, [5'3]

 maybe

I'm starting to move between 12-18 month clothing

and still rocking the size two diapers

my favorite songs currently include

John Newman's "Love Me Again"

and Katy Perry's "Dark Horse"

you can often see me running around the house with these songs

playing on my daddy's phone

and yes, my mom will most likely have me in toddler dance classes

before you know it

I also took my first photo using my mom's phone

and she even posted it to instagram for me

so yeah, I'm into artsy social-media

no big

I'm mean, I was born in 2012 after all

see you again next month

-everly mae

oh hey, I'm ONE [14 months]

Fourteen months old today! I now officially have two modes of existing, full speed ahead, or sleeping. That's about it.  The truth is, the world is just too big, and too amazing to stay still for more than a few seconds.  Now that I've been walking for four months I've mastered my quick step, running down slight inclines, and being chased by my friends and family makes me squeal with delight.  Besides running and twirling, I'm also quite the expert climber [much to my mom's dismay]. Thankfully, I haven't had any bad falls yet, but I'm sure I'm due for one soon.

This past month included Christmas where my stash of goodies increased.  I'm now the proud owner of my very own kitchen, and I love getting to make everyone some pretty awesome imaginary food.  I've mastered mixing all my ingredients together and serving them to others on a spoon.  Sure, I still love getting into mom and dad's kitchen, but now I have options for food preparation. Besides cooking, I'm really starting to show interest in books, as you can probably see here.

Mom would say my biggest milestone this past month was when I learned how to drink from a straw. I've been chewing on the ends of straws for months now, but just never figured out the whole sucking thing.  Some may say it happened by accident, but once I got my first taste of water from that straw, it was game on.  Mom even got me my own special cups with straws, I am drinking enough water to satisfy the amount of water I haven't been drinking for months.  Mom is also getting to experience what a real wet diaper is like, but hey, she still seems really happy about the whole situation, so there you go.

On the food front I haven't been eating too many different things this month.  In fact, the past couple of weeks I've been working on two of my molars, and so I've been preferring a fruit filled diet.  Mom is still pushing me to eat other goodies, but it doesn't always happen.  Instead, while working on teeth nine and ten, I really just prefer a good amount of boobie snacking, so mom being home from work for winter break has really worked out for me.  Besides my new teeth, I'm wearing 12 month clothing pretty well, and we'll just say I'm bringing back the capri pant, because that's my only option right now. Thankfully I live in California, and a little of my leg showing isn't a bad thing.  I'm still in size two diapers and wearing shoe sizes 3-5 depending on brand.  Even though I walk well with my shoes, I do love to be barefoot and can be seen ripping my socks off if I just can't stand them anymore.

until next month...

-everly mae